Claudia Mauner

In this follow-up to their 2003 Zoe Sophia's Scrapbook: An Adventure in Venice, co-authors Claudia Mauner (also the illustrator) and Elisa Smalley continue the story of the precocious Zoe Sophia, a young Manhattanite with a taste for adventure, and her beloved Great-Aunt Dorothy Pomander. In town to attend a signing for her newest book, Aunt Dorothy embroils Zoe Sophia in her search for the secret of the Pink Phoenix, an ancient Egyptian scarab on view at the Metropolitan Museum, and the two travel all around the city, hunting down clues and doing research.

Despite the premise, and the title, I found Zoe Sophia in New York: The Mystery of the Pink Phoenix Papers somewhat less than mysterious, and enjoyed it more as a picture-book travelogue of New York City, than as an actual story. The "signs" that Zoe Sophia and Aunt Dorothy find, throughout the book, didn't really make much sense, and, other than discovering a rare book (something I can definitely appreciate!), there was little in the way of conclusion. Still, as someone familiar with the island of Manhattan, I appreciated seeing some of the familiar sites. As with the first book, the watercolor and ink illustrations add a lot to the story, giving it real visual appeal. All in all, an enjoyable little book, although not the equal of the first.… (més)

A young Manhattanite visits her Great-Aunt Dorothy in this charming picture-book travelogue, the 2003 debut of co-authors Claudia Mauner (who also contributed the illustrations) and Elisa Smalley. With her faithful dachshund Mickey in tow, and her journal in hand, Zoe Sophia explores the fabulous city of Venice with her great-aunt, visiting the art museums and famous squares, riding on gondolas (and being serenaded by a gondolier), and eating in fabulous restaurants. But when Mickey goes missing, it seems the trip has gone from divine to disastrous! Will her canine friend be found in time for Zoe Sophia's departure...?

Presented in diary format, Zoe Sophia's Scrapbook is a delightful little book, full of visual and narrative fun! Young readers will enjoy poring over the pages, with their detailed watercolor illustrations, and will have fun reading Zoe Sophia's description of her itinerary. This is the perfect little confection for the child who dreams of traveling to far off places - I will definitely be tracking down the sequel, Zoe Sophia in New York!… (més)